So why do we use Indices

in Mathematics?
Working with Indices gives us a quick way to simplify
complicated numbers.

Index rules are like ‘tools’ that make mathematics easier to

compute.

e.g. 576 x 1024 = ??? (without a calculator)

So what is a Indice?

4
index

3a
exponent
logarithm
power

coefficient base

Consider
5 pick up the base and multiply it by
2 = 2x2x2x2x2 itself the power number of times
34 = 3 x 3 x 3 x 3
Please, Please, Please note…

2
3 6
3
2 6
2
5  10

any others…?
Rules for Indices

Example Proof Law

1.

23 x 25   2 x 2 x 2. 2 x 2 x 2 x 2.2  28 a m x a n  a m n
2.
5
2 2  2 2 x2 x2 x2 x2
2x2
 23 a m  a n  a mn
3.

2  3 4
 3 3
2 x2 x2 x2  2 3 3 12 a 
m n
 a mn
4.

0
25
 2 55  2 0  1
2  25 a0  1
Rules for Indices

Example Proof Law

5.

 2x3 2  2 2 x 32  4 x 9  36  ab  m  a m b m
6.

 3
2 2

2
3
x 23  4
9
abm  a m

bn
7.
0 5 5 1
20
2 2  5 a m  1
2 1  25
2 am

8.
 
1 1
2
16  4
2 2
4

 8 
1 1
2 m n
8  am
2
2
1
2
 64 2
a n
Common errors (AVOID!!)

2 3   8 (What should it be?)

2 x y 
2 3 3
 2x6 y9 (What should it be?)

a6  a3  a9 (What should it be?)

23  6 (I know… what should it be?)

Examples

1 4
1. 3x x 2 x 3 3

2. 16x  4
1
2

 81x  13
3.
 
9x
1
2  3

1

4.  x 2  3

x 4

 
2
5.
 3
j p 1

 z3 